Nokia and Intel create open Linux platform called MeeGo for mobile computing

Mobile World Congress, Barcelona — Nokia and Intel have announced the merger of Maemo and Moblin to create MeeGo, a Linux-based software platform designed to work across a range of hardware architectures and devices including mobile computers, netbooks, tablets, mediaphones, connected TVs and in-vehicle infotainment systems. The first release of MeeGo is expected in the second quarter of 2010 and the first MeeGo-based devices are expected to be launched later this year.

MeeGo is an open software platform which will be hosted by the Linux Foundation and use the best practices of open source development. Developers will be able to use Qt to develop applications for a variety of devices and platforms, and market them through Nokia's Ovi Store and Intel's AppUp Center.

Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, CEO, Nokia comments, "MeeGo will drive an even wider range of Internet computing and communication experiences for consumers, on new types of mobile devices. Through open innovation, MeeGo will create an ecosystem that is second to none, drawing in players from different industries."

MeeGo is designed from the ground up to be open in every way. Combining the best of both Maemo and Moblin, and their developer communities, the new ecosystem will deliver a range of experiences for users, including internet-based, computing, communications, multitasking and multimedia. Users will be able to easily move their applications from one device to another and use the same applications on a range of different devices.

The merger of the two platforms follows the announcement last June of the companies' collaboration.

Intel president and CEO, Paul Otellini added, "Our vision for seamlessly communicating between computing devices from the home, auto, office or your pocket is taking a big step forward today with the introduction of MeeGo."